The unique environment of Llançà

The coastal village of Llançà has become one of the most important centres for tourism in the northern Costa Brava. It has a modern infrastructure of hotels and apartments and numerous tourist services, which, combined with the region’s natural, cultural, shopping and leisure facilities, make the locality a key reference-point in terms of the range of tourist services on offer throughout Catalonia.

L´ARGILERA BEACH

A generic name given to the original settlement of Llançà, a zone that is greatly affected by heavy rain and storms. The coastal rock is affected by a high degree of schist and metamorphism.

L´EMBARRIL BEACH

A small beach between Les Carboneres and La Farella, below the mansion belonging to the industrialist Albert Bosch.

LES CARBONERES BEACH

A stretch of the coast greatly affected by the former bituminous coal workings, which shows the great age of the site. Part of a cavity still remains, and the black seams in the cliff are still visible. There are two small sandy beaches here.

THE PORT BEACH

The Port Beach is to be found in the sector of the Port of Llançà. To be more precise, it borders on the installations of the fishing harbour and the pleasure harbour to the east, and the mouth of the river Valleta to the west.

The beach is 425 metres long and 30 metres wide. This therefore gives an active area of 900 square metres and an area for relaxation of 810 square metres. The average angle of inclination of the beach is 6%.

To close these notes it should be added that the sea-front road that runs along this beach offers all kinds of services, including the Port of Llançà Tourist Office, public telephone boxes, a call centre, bars with terraces, hotels, restaurants and a variety of shops.

Location: In the Port of Llançà.
Strong points: Good quality of sand and water.
Dimensions: 425m long and 30m wide.
Cleanliness: High. Cleaned daily
in high season.

ELS CANYERS BEACH

A small sandy beach situated near La Farella and to the west of Canyelles Petites

L´ALGUER BEACH

A small cove among the rocks near the residential development at Canyelles. Noted for its well-preserved vegetation.

CANYELLES BEACH

A headland with a sandy beach that marks the beginning of the bay of Llançà. An important centre of attraction for tourists from Roses made up of two coves sheltered by the small outcrops of El Puig del Marés and La Torre del Sastre, noteworthy for the sandy whiteness of its beach.

MONASTERY OF SANT PERE DE RODES

This is one of the best-known and most exceptional architectural monuments in Catalonia: the classic Romanesque monastery on the shores of the Mediterranean, situated in a unique location from which it dominates the whole peninsula of the Cap de Creus, with an awe-inspiring panoramic view of unrivalled beauty.

Built in the 10th century, the Benedictine monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes is the finest example of Romanesque art in the entire province of Girona. Almost from its very beginnings the monastery started to accumulate power and to increase its area of influence and domination, until it came to control the territories on both slopes of the Pyrenees. The most outstanding part of the monastery complex is its Romanesque church, with a traditional Latin cross design, and a central nave of 16 metres in height, supported by pillars and double columns, which make it unique in Romanesque architecture. The bell-tower, built in the 12th century, and the defence tower, dating from the same period, are also outstanding. At the end of the 17th century the monastery embarked on a period of decline that led to it being subjected to attacks and despoliations during which a part of its heritage was lost, as was the case of the Sant Pere Bible.

Situated today inside the municipal area of Port de la Selva, the monastery now serves as a study centre and is one of the administrative centres of the Cap de Creus Nature Reserve. The majestic nature of its architecture and the beauty of its location, dominating the entire peninsula of the Cap de Creus, make this monument a true feast of the senses.

MEGALITHIC HERITAGE

The area surrounding Llançà is full of monuments which witness to the remote origins of human habitation in the region.

The dolmen of Puig del Llop, identified in 1999, is located near the former early medieval settlement of Clerzells. It consists of a narrow rectangular tomb, with a passageway probably made out of dried stone that has not survived. Its circular tumulus is still visible.

The dolmen of Puig d’Esquers. A slate and quartzite megalithic tomb consisting of a narrow pentagonal chamber and a
passageway that today is no longer visible. It can be dated to around 3000 B.C.

The dolmen of Puig Tifell. Discovered in 1996, it currently consists of three slabs, which do not include either the cover-stone or the passageway which probably formed part of this dolmen. The tumulus which protects and surrounds the megalithic chamber is in a fairly good state of conservation.

The Standing Stone of Mas Roquer. This megalith is referred to in records dating from 1615 as either “Pedra Frita” or “Pedra Dreta”. It is one of the biggest menhirs in Catalonia. It is about 3.60 metres high and up to 0.76 metres wide, and weighs approximately 2,660 kg. Legend has it that its subterranean section is so extensive that under the ground it reaches the sea.
On its summit there is a small circular cavity which witnesses to the existence of an iron cross that has since disappeared.

The dolmen of Mas de la Mata. It is made up of granite slabs, and is located on a flat stretch of ground. It represents the category of tomb which had a complete access tunnel, and had a rectangular compartment accessed through a low stone entrance and which was sub-divided for subsequent re-use.

The dolmen of Roca Miralles. It consists of granite slabs, and was constructed on flat ground. It is a megalithic tomb with a pentagonal-shaped chamber. This dolmen must have partially collapsed when it was first built, and was strengthened to make it suitable for use. It dates back to about 3000 B.C.

THE SALVADOR DALI TRIANGLE

Figueres, Portlligat and Púbol make up the Salvador Dali Triangle, consisting of the Dali Theatre Museum, the Museum Residence of Portlligat (near Cadaqués), and the Museum Residence of Púbol, three locations which served as both place of residence and source of inspiration for the creations of the genius of surrealism.
The Dali Theatre Museum in Figueres, first opened in 1974, contains the major part of the painter’s works, and shows his conception of special spaces, designed so that the visitor can plunge into the Dali 'universe, and going beyond mere artistic expression.

The Museum Residence at Portlligat, where the painter spent long periods of his childhood and youth, is an ensemble of former fishermen’s cottages, next to the sea, bought at different times and joined together in a maze-like pattern.

The Castle of Púbol is a medieval building which during the 1970’s was the place of residence of the painter’s wife. In addition to the spectacular decoration of the 'interior, there can be found here a collection of sculptures of elephants produced by this Catalan genius.

IBERIAN, GREEK AND ROMAN PERIODS

Empúries is one of the principal gateways of the Greek and Roman civilizations in the Iberian Peninsula. The ruins were discovered in 1908, and there have been continuous archaeological excavations here ever since. The successive Greek (Emporion) and Roman (Emporiae) settlements also contain palaeo-Christian remains. The Graeco-Roman site at Empúries, today located in the municipality of Castelló d'Empúries (20 km. from Llançà), is considered to be a monument of the highest importance.

Another site of great value that contains Iberian remains is found at the Ruins of Ullastret (60 km. away), situated on the Puig de Sant Andreu, a hill-top from which it is possible to contemplate all the tranquil vastness of the plain of the Empordà. Ullastret is the most important Iberian site in Catalonia, thanks to its character as an authentic city and the settlement which was the capital of the area, the inhabitants of which were known as Indigetes.

Finally, the Citadel of Roses (25 km. away), is an enclosure with an area of 139,000 square metres which was inhabited by various civilizations from the year 776 B.C. up to mediaeval times. It is possible to visit Roman, Greek and Romanesque remains, as well as part of the external fortifications, which were built between the 16th and 17th centuries.

ROMANESQUE PERIOD

The trail that can be followed through the Alt Empordà region, starting out from the Port of Llançà, involves retracing the history of Catalan Romanesque architecture, in an itinerary in which the architectural heritage of the region forms part of the landscape.

One of the principal jewels of the Romanesque is the Abbey of Santa Maria de Vilabertran, a monumental complex of enormous interest (and which is today the scene of the classical music festival known as the Schubertiades), noteworthy for its 11th century church, its Lombard-style 12th century bell-tower, and its cloisters, dating from the 12th-13th centuries. A 14th century crucifix is kept here which is considered to be one of the masterpieces of the art of the Catalan goldsmiths.

Following in importance is the Abbey of Sant Quirze de Colera, one of the most remarkable examples of the heritage of the mediaeval period in the Empordà and indeed in the whole of Catalonia. It can be stated that the building already existed in the 9th century. The basilica, with three naves like the rest of the complex, includes structures from different periods and in different styles. The outstanding elements of the complex are the church of Sant Miquel de Colera, which dates from the 12th century and has a nave with a semi-circular apse at the eastern end, and the church of Santa Maria, which has one single nave.

The hermitage of Sant Silvestre, an example of the most primitive Romanesque style, belonged to the church of Sant Esteve in Banyoles. It is a church with a single nave with piped vaulting and an exterior semi-circular apse containing two semi-circular arched windows.

Finally, Sant Martí de Vallmala, a pre-Romanesque church consecrated in 1019, the apse of which is the oldest building in the Llançà municipal area that is still standing today. It is a small church with a single nave and a trapezoid-shaped apse with piped vaulting.

CASTLES

The Castle of Perelada, of mediaeval origin but today converted into a Casino, is one of the most spectacular examples of Catalan fortified architecture. Restored in the 19th century, the cloisters are the last surviving vestiges of its Romanesque origins. The former Carmelite convent, which today houses the wine museum and library, is particularly noteworthy.

The Castle of Recasens is a spectacular mediaeval building, situated in the Albera hills, in a natural location of enormous interest with equally spectacular views. Building began here in the 11th century, and the castle was subsequently restructured in the 13th and 14th centuries. It was restored at the end of the 19th century. Among the features which have been conserved are its triple curtain-wall fortification, its main keep, watch-towers, chapel, kitchens and central courtyard.

The Castle of Sant Ferran, in Figueres, was in the 18th century the largest fortress in Europe and the largest monumental building in Catalonia. All the original outbuildings of the fortress, of which building was started in 1753, are conserved untouched and in very good condition. The total surface area of the fortified complex, classed as a Historical Monument of Artistic Interest, is 550,000 square metres, and the external perimeter is 3,125 m long.

MUSEUMS

The Toy Museum of Catalonia, in Figueres, exhibits over 4,000 pieces which take our collective imagination back in time: Meccano sets, models, cardboard horses, dolls' kitchens, balls, spinning-tops, train-sets, etc. Items which, in some cases, once belonged to famous people, or which simply form part of popular imagery.

Also in Figueres, the Museum of the Empordà, created in 1947, offers the visitor a chronological vision of the artistic history of the Empordà region, from prehistoric times down to the present day, with special attention to the paintings of Catalonia and the Empordà in the 19th and 20th centuries.

In Llançà, the Martínez Lozano Foundation’s Museum of Water-Colours is the only art gallery of this kind in the whole of Spain.

KAYAKING

From El Rastell Beach to El Bell Fons. Seven kilometres of beaches to visit from the sea. Your kayak will allow you to enjoy to the full the small coves and other nooks and crannies along the coast.

WATER SPORTS

Llançà offers one of the widest ranges of water sports available anywhere on the Costa Brava, starting with the Pleasure Harbour which, with 497 moorings for boats of up to 15 metres in length and 21 moorings for smaller craft, has all the installations and facilities required to make it a port of call.
Diving is especially noteworthy as a local activity, thanks to the presence of companies specializing in this discipline and which can show visitors the fascinating weightless depths of the Cap de Creus.
We should also highlight once again the activities of canoeing and kayaking, which can be practised over an area of 7 kilometres from El Rastell beach to El Bell Fons; windsurfing; sailing; and catamaranning; without forgetting the simple and highly attractive pleasures of more conventional boat-trips.

GOLF

Golf is one of the sports that can be practised in the Alt Empordà in close contact with nature. Two professional courses, at Navata and at Perelada, offer outstandingly-designed circuits and the full range of services for the practice of this sport. The Torremirona course, in Navata (36 km away), has par 72 and Perelada (17 km away), par 71. The range of golfing services is complemented by the Pitch and &Putt Course at Castelló d'Empúries (20 km away), which also has the full 18 holes, operates on a totally flat surface and is quite compact.

PARACHUTING

For those who dream of letting their bodies fly through the air, of experiencing the most extreme and unique sensations and of knowing what it’s like to defy or play with the forces of gravity, Empuriabrava, just 25 km from Llançà, has one of the best parachuting centres in the world.

APNEA DIVING

Take a deep breath, dive down and let your senses enjoy the surprises of underwater life off the coast of Llançà and Cap de Creus. You will be captivated by the silence and beauty of a voyage without gravity.

WALKING

You and a good pair of shoes. That’s the equipment you need to discover the countryside just outside the town. Immerse yourself in one of the many untouched spots in the Albera hills or the Cap de Creus. Discover the plants, observe the wildlife, identify the birds and empathise with the scenery. Gentle hills, mountains or ravines. You decide your own limits.

POINTS OF SCENIC INTEREST

The Pass of Les Portes: a good viewing-point over the valley of Llançà.
Puig d’Esquers: the highest point in the municipal area of Llançà. A very good viewing-point.
The river of En Prim: a water-course that keeps a minimum volume of water nearly all year round.
The viewing-point at the pass of El Perer: good views of Llançà and Port de la Selva.
Cap Ras: a promontory which is divided between the municipal areas of Colera (to the north) and Llançà (to the south). Has a wide variety of types of scenery and vegetation. You find here sand dunes, typical coastal vegetation, and even old
Customs buildings.
The river Valleta: a characteristic watercourse of the Cap de Creus. It only fills with water when there is heavy rain.

NATURE RESERVES AND PROTECTED AREAS

The Cap de Creus captures all the singularity and beauty of the natural heritage of the Alt Empordà. Converted into the first combined sea and land
nature reserve in Catalonia
in 1998, it is one of the most interesting areas in the country in terms of ecology and landscape thanks to its unique wealth of marine ecosystems, its geological formations of incomparable visual beauty and its endemic species of fauna and flora.

The ¨Aiguamolls¨, or Empordà Marshes, represent one of the most important examples of marshland in the Mediterranean. Mainly located within the municipal area of Castelló d'Empúries, they form an outstanding area of coexistence between water, land, humans and nature. Their principal attraction in terms of wildlife are the nearly 350 species of birds, many of which are protected, and of which eighty or more nest there on a regular basis. As for the flora, of great value in terms of biological interest but also in terms of landscape, this combines rice-fields and zones of pasture.

The Albera range of hills, the easternmost section of the Pyrenees, is classed as a Natural Zone of Declared National Interest. It extends on both sides of the French frontier, with vegetation of middle European type, such as beech and oak trees, in the west, and of Mediterranean type - cork oaks
and scrub - in the east. It is important to note the presence of two endemic species of animals of great interest, the Mediterranean tortoise and Albera cattle. With regard to the Mediterranean tortoise, it is possible to visit in Garriguella a reproduction centre dedicated to this species, which aims to foster their breeding, protect the existing natural population and reinforce their protection and conservation.

All three zones are in the best possible condition to receive visitors and offer scenes of great visual impact.

DESCRIPTION OF ITINERARY
Leave the Port tourist office and go toward the village. From the port chapel go toward Gardissó street (via Estela street), proceeding to the schools, from where you ascend toward the fountain of Falcó (behind the institute). From the fountain, enter to Llebeig street. Follow the walking track that leads to platja de les Tonyines (the "beach of the tunas") and then take the camí de ronda GR-92 (track along the seashore). This is a particularly beautiful walk, with wonderful views of the coast. Walk along the beaches of Farella, Carboneres, past Gola and Castellar, to reach the Port of Llançà, about a km out of town.

SITES OF INTEREST:
Port Chapel, Fountain of Falcó, beaches and small coves, el Castellar and the Port area.

DESCRIPTION OF ITINERARY
From the Port tourist office, go to the promenade towards the Sant Carles neighborhood. From there, proceed toward the beaches of Sant Jordi, Grifeu and Canyelles to reach cape Ras. Follow the seashore and return the same way.

DESCRIPTION OF ITINERARY
Leave from the tourist office, direction coll del Perer. Immediately follow a wide-track that leads to ribera d'en Prim (Prim's stream). Cross the stream and climb the hill toward coll del Perer (mountain pass). Descend to the hamlet of Vall de Santa Creu and eventually to the beach along the track next to the stream. Return along the GR-92, following this walking-track along the shore, to Llançà. Once in the Port go toward the village to reach the tourist office.

DESCRIPTION OF ITINERARY:
From Valleta, take the track that climbs by the stream of Valleta to Sant Silvestre. Once at the church, proceed toward coll de les Portes (Portes mountain pass). Before reaching the top, there is the option of taking the track that goes to the dolmen of Puig del Llop. If taking this option, one must then return the same way to continue the itinerary. Once at the top, on coll de les Portes, take the way that descends toward Sant Genís del Terrer. Follow the summit along clot de Valleta to reach the newly urbanized area.

DESCRIPTION OF ITINERARY
From the tourist office, go toward Sant Silvestre. Follow the GR-11 track until Vilamaniscle, from where the signs on the track lead toward Sant Quirze de Colera. After approximately 1,5 Km, there is the menhir or standing stone of Mas Roqué. Continue to the abbey of Sant Quirze de Colera; to the West and not far away, the romanesque church of Santa Maria can also be seen.

DESCRIPTION OF ITINERARY
From the town-square, proceed from the tower to the Dins la Vila street, descend along Muralla street and start to ascend along Afora, Pi and Torre streets to the square where the windmill is; stop at "l'era" (a square where there is a plaque representing the Nature Reserve of Cape Creus), to observe the hill of Damunt and the farmhouse of Gifre. Descend along carrer Sant Vicenç to reach the old abbot's palace (once owned by the abbot of the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes) and the church of Sant Vicenç. From the street of Rafel Estela (old "carrer de mar" or "sea street") and Picasso, one reaches the defense tower, having crossed a car park and the back of the Casa de Cultura grounds.

SITES OF INTEREST:
Tower of the town-square, Tree of Freedom, New Church (Sant Vicenç)
Muralla street, Windmill, abbot's palace

STARTING POINT
The tower on the village square

POINT OF ARRIVAL
The tower on the village square

DIFFERENCE IN HEIGHT (metres) - 100m

TIME-LENGTH (hours and minutes) – 1h15.

GRADE OF DIFFICULTY - Low

TYPE OF TRACK (walking-track, wide-track.). - Paved streets

DESCRIPTION OF ITINERARY
From the town-square, proceed from the tower to the Dins la Vila street, descend along Muralla street and start to ascend along Afora, Pi and Torre streets to the square where the windmill is; stop at "l'era" (a square where there is a plaque representing the Nature Reserve of Cape Creus), to observe the hill of Damunt and the farmhouse of Gifre. Descend along carrer Sant Vicenç to reach the old abbot's palace (once owned by the abbot of the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes) and the church of Sant Vicenç. From the street of Rafel Estela (old "carrer de mar" or "sea street") and Picasso, one reaches the defense tower, having crossed a car park and the back of the Casa de Cultura grounds.

SITES OF INTEREST:
Tower of the town-square, Tree of Freedom, New Church (Sant Vicenç)
Muralla street, Windmill, abbot's palace

DESCRIPTION OF ITINERARY
From the tourist office, go toward Sant Silvestre. Follow the GR-11 and leave it when reaching mas Guanter (farmhouse), just below the hill of Esquers (if you continue along the GR-11, you will be following itinerary 2.1 "Hill of Esquers"). Half-way up, turn to the left to visit the chapel of Sant Martí de Vallmala; return along the same track to continue the route. Once on the hill of Esquers, enjoy the views and visit the dolmen. On the descent, turn left to reach Sant Miquel de Colera, and return along the same track to reach the cross-roads and continue with the itinerary. Follow the summit along the puig del Llop ("Wolf's hill") and Tifell hill, where the Tifell dolmen can be visited. Continue descending along the hill-range of Socarrador until Argilera, from where you can reach the Port walking along the seaside. Once in the Port, go toward the village to reach the departure point.

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